A Better World With You

Chapter 27

With no such argument, I let him have a ride. I thought he's going to talk to me or somewhat teasing me because that's what he usually do when we're together but he's quiet, so quiet that I might find it awkward to start a conversation. With that, I decided to activate the car play and let the music distract me for thinking about such events that I don't expect to happen this day.

While we're still on the road, a sound of 'ting' was heard and it seems like it came from a device that my car has. I took a haste glimpse and there, I saw a notification from my message app. I decided to not read it for a mean time because I am driving, however, I'm over thinking it might be something important so I ask the help of Justine to take a look of it.

"'Hi! This is Alessandro. Your number was given to me by your best friend, Chris. I just want to let you know. In case you want to talk to me or need something, feel free to reply to this number and save it so you can easily determine where to find mine in your contact list. Ingat, George.'" Justine read the message with a hint of bitterness in his tone. I creased my forehead for not being able to understand my companion today. He sure is moody.

"Oh binasa ko na, so may tanong ako." Sabi pa nito at nanatili lamang ang mga mata ko sa kalsada.

"Anong mayroon sa inyo nung pangit na 'yon?" I creased my forehead more when he mentioned Alessandro as 'pangit'. Is there something between the two of them? 'Cause he wouldn't be like this when there is none. Just what is the point of this guy?

"What's with that attitude first, Justine? And to mind you, the word 'pangit' is not very synonymous to Alessandro." I answered back and I heard him clicked his tongue while turning his to the window.

"Malabo talaga mata mo, George! Ang pangit kaya ng lalaking iyon. Feeling ko kailangan ko pang bilhan ka ng panibagong salamin na mas maayos pa sa ginagamit mo. Hindi ka makakita ng maayos e." Pagalit pa na sabi ni Justine sa akin at naguguluhan ako kung bakit siya ganito ngayon.

"Okay Justine, would you like to tell what's wrong? I'm sure you have a valid reason to hate him." I calmly asked. "Nasusura ako sa pagmumukha niya, George. At sa tingin ko valid 'yon." Napailing na lamang ako sa sagot nito. Hindi ko na tuloy alam ang sasabihin pa at kapag nakapagsalita pa ako ay baka mas lalong uminit ang ulo kaya naman hindi ko na pinansin ang huli niyang sinabi.

"George, gusto mo ba siya?" Just in time, I stepped on the brakes to a full stop due to a mild traffic and face him.

"You're really confusing me for asking me this kind of question, but just to answer you, I don't have any likeness or interest towards him." Sagot ko at pinaandar ulit ang aking kotse ng kaunti.

"I'm very sure you have a reason e. Come on tin, tell me what's the problem." I added and even mentioned the nickname I gave to him. I'll just see if it's effective to make him talk about the reason why he is like this.

"And there you go again with the cringy nickname, George." Nanlaki pa ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya at hinampas ito sa balikat.

"Aray George ha." Reklamo pa nito sa akin pero inirapan ko lamang ito pabalik.

"Akala ko ba gusto mo na 'yung nickname na binigay ko sa'yo? Tapos ngayon, kung kailan ka galit dahil sa hindi malamang rason, saka mo tatawagin cringe. Ang gulo-gulo mo!" Sagot ko pabalik dahilan kung bakit ito naman ang hindi kaagad nakapagsalita. And then again, after a few minutes, he began to speak.

"Pagod na kasi ako itago 'yung relasyon natin." He seriously said, however, his choice of word might can get someone misinterpret the idea.